Mail-chute.



PATENTED APR. 26, 1904.

J. w; CUTLER. MAIL GHUTE. v APPLIGATION FILED SEPT. 14,, 1903 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

fl IIlilulllIlI-l llllllfl l l lx z l WIN u ly Inventor- WWW cm Att fney- PATENTED APR. 26, 1904 J. w. GUTLER. MAIL GHUTE.

APPLIOLTION FILED SEPT. 14, 1903.

5 s nus-sum a.

to MODEL l Attorney No. 758,128. PA-TBNTED APR. 26, 1904.

J. WIQUTLER. MAIL GHUTR APPLICATION rum) 83M. 14, mos.

' NO MODEL. 5 SHBETSr-SHEET 6.

UNITED STATES Patented April 26, 1904. I n

PATENT OFFICE.

MAlL-CHUTE.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 758,128, dated April 26, 1904. Application filed September 14,1903. Serial No. 173,070. (No model.)

and useful Improvements in Mail fihutes; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be afull,

clear, and exact description of the same; reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and

to the reference-numerals marked thereonl.

My present invention relates to mail-chutes adapted to extend vertically throughout a building, connected at itslowerend toamail- -receiving receptacle and having apertures at various floors for the reception of mail rn'atter; and it has for its object to improve such devices, whereby access to the interior of the chute .is'facilitated for the. purpose of cleaningthe same or removing obstructions; and at the-same time to provide a relatively smooth interior of such a nature that there are formed no cracks or crevices ,atthe salient points of the chute into which the edges or corners of the descending mail-matter are liable to be caughtand obstruct the chute.

, The invention further hasfor its" objects means for insuring the proper securing and fastening of the removable panels or sections and preventing their movement by unauthorized persons and, further, in an improved manner of supporting the chute-sections,

whereby the erection of the same and the if necessary, are facili access to the interior of the chute save through the mail-depositing aperture orby the ref, moval of the entire'section. The insertion of a wire through the mail-receiving aperture results oftentimes in destroying the coverin of the mail-matter in theattempt to dislodge. it.-

the services of a skilled operator and the dis-,- -continuance of. the use of the chute for a greater or lesser period, which would oftentimes result in great inconvenience to the The removal of a chute-section requires" ;users. These difliculties are," however, all 'obviated by the employment of a chute having a removable and preferably a hinged panel at one of the sides or walls and preferably at the front secured by suitablelocking devices and having the joint between the edges of the removable panel and the walls of the chute removed fromthe corners or salient points or parts which arev liable, to be traversed by the edgesor corners of the letters descending the 'chute, all as will be hereinafterdescribed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of that portion of the mailchute extending between the ceiling and floor of one story of a building and showing one mailreceiving aperture; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same; Fig. 3 is aside elevation of the upper portion of one of the chutesections, showing the locking devices for the front or door. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 3/ y of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view through the casing containing the door-securing device, showing the locking-bar and the door in side elevation and just before it is locked. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line a a of Fig. 5, showing the door or front panel closing. Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the iineAAof Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view on the line B B of Fig. 2. Fig. 9is ahorizontal sectional view on the line C C of FigJ'Q. Fig: 10 is a perspective' view showing the floor-section. Fig. 11 is'a perspective view showing a chute ex tending through several stories of a building, and Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the wardplates of the lock and the key for cooperating therewith.

. Similar reference-numerals-in the several" figures indicate similar parts.

As will beundeerstood, the chute extends lower floor, where it communicates with a suitable mail box or receptacle,-Which is under the control of the Post-Office Department, said chute forming a continuous passage for 'mail matter, with apertures'foitheadmission of mail-matter'at eachfloor. In view of the well-knowngeneral appearance-and operation of devices of this character 'Ihave deemed it necessary to showthat portion of the chute '90 from the upper floors of a building to the' "onl which is arranged between the ceiling and the floor of one story of the building, as each of these is the same. In preparing the building for the mail-chutes it is only necessary to provide a suitable backing or support (indicated in the drawings by 1) and which may be of wood, metal, or other material extending vertically from the top to the bottom of the building and to providein the floors adjacent this support suitable collars or tubes (indicated by 2) and preferably of sheet metal and slightly greater in size than the chute proper. At each of the floors of the building through which the chute extends and resting upon the latter is a hollow base-section 4, having at its rear side the crossbar 5, which may be secured to the backing 1. The upper portion of this base-section embodies a vertically-extending flange 6, be-

low which is a shoulder 7 and upon the latter is adapted to rest the lower edge of an adjustable section 8, preferably having a molding at its upper portion and for convenience termed a -molding-section, and near the rear edges of the sides inwardly-projecting flanges 9, Figs. 9 and 10, extending in rear of lugs or projections 10, formed on the downwardly-extending arms 11 of a bracket 12, secured to the support 1, the connection with the bracket permitting the vertical adjustment of the molding-section 8, but preventing its forward movement. The aperture in the upper end of the molding-section 8 is of a size adapted to fit upon the vertically-extending flange or apron 13, formed upon or secured to the upper end of the tube or floor-section 14, constructed of sheet metal slightly flared at its upper end, but with. its

main portion and lower end of substantially the internal diameter of the chute. floor section or tubeis supported at its upper end by the bracket 12, which latter is provided with undercut and preferably dovetail recesses 15, with which corresponding projections 15 of the floor-tube 14 cooperate. This construction is clearly shown in Figs. 2, 9, and 10. In the upper portion of Fig. 2 is shown the lower end of one of the tubes or floor-sections 14, which extend from the upper floor. As the several sections of the chute which are located between floors are constructed of uniform length, as willbe de-' more sections of suitable length to be conven-' iently handled, two being shown in the present instance, and constructed in a similar This manner so faras general appearance is concerned. Each of these sections is preferably composed of a tubular body of sheet metal (indicated by 16) embodying a back portion, the side'flanges 17 at the forward ends of which are provided the inwardlyturned "flanges 18, the opening between said flanges 18 being closed by a removable panel, preferably in the form of a hinged door composed in the main by a sheet of transparent mate- 'rial, such as glass, through which the interior of the chute may at all times be inspected. Though I have in the present instance ar ranged the removable panel at the frorit and for obvious reasons prefer this, it may be generally referred to as located in one of the sides of the chute considered as a tubular structure. In the present instance this panel or door embodies a frame consisting of the vertical bars 19, connected at the upper andlower ends by cross-pieces 20, having their upper inner corners beveled or chamfered, as shown, the vertical bars 19 of the frame being covered by a heavy sheet-metal covering, the inwardly-projecting flanges 22 and 23 of which, being more or less elastic, engage and firmly hold the edges of the front glass panel 21, extending from end to end of the door or section. The forward flange 22 of the sheetmetal covering for the door-frame is formed into a molding, as shown, presenting an ornamental appearance and also carrying the glass at the rear portion of the frame.

It is particularly important that the joint formed by the meeting edges of the chute-walls and removable panel or door he of such nature that the descending mail-matter shall not catch therein, and for this reason not only are these joints removed from the corners of the chute, but the sides of the panel or door are extended inwardly or toward the center beyond the inner faces of the flanges 18,- so that there are no projecting portions or cracks accessible from the center of the chute into which the corners or edges of descending mail-matter could project and lodge. In the present embodiment this is accomplished by forming the inner flanges 23 of the door-casing with an oflset toward the rear, serving to produce the inwardly-extending shoulders extending in rear of flanges 18, throwing the rear face of the glass substantially in line with the flanges and to some extent bracing the sides of the chute and preventing its losing its shape.

The front door or panel is in the present instance hinged upon the pintle or pintles 24, preferably approximately in line with the rear of the front glass, so that the door will move more nearly toward and from the front opening, the members of the hinges being preferably separate plates, as shown, or formed on the body and door, respectively, though I prefer the separate hinge members shown, as they serve to stiffen the parts. The edges of the glass panel preferably engage suitable stops,

formed in the present instance by the bars 19, which prevent sidewise motion of the glass.

The general construction of the sections provided with the doors are similar in all respects, excepting that in one of them is located the casing containing a mail-receiving aperture, which may be of any desired or suitable construction, but preferably embodying a casing attached to the front door, having an aperture at its upper side and a deflecting plate pivoted therein near its lower end, said plate having an angular portion at its upper end and being pivoted to move said angular portion beneath the aperture to close it when desired, suitable locking devices being provided capable of manipulation by a removable key. The upper and lower ends of the chute-sections 16 are provided with U-shaped stiffening frames or yokes 26, having at the rear undercut or dovetail projections 27, adapted to enter suitable recesses in supporting-brackets secured to the backing or support 1. The projections 27 at the lower end of the lower chute-section are adapted to enter the recesses in the bracket 12, those at the upper end of said section at the corresponding recess formed in the intermediate bracket 28, also secured to the support 1, and the projections at the lower end of the upper section also enter recesses in said bracket 28. This section rests upon theupper end of the lower chute-section. The projecs tions at the upper end of the upper section (shown in the d rawings) engage in correspond ing recesses formed in the upper bracket 29.

The section 81, which corresponds to the mold ing-section 8, is slightly different in form in order to constitute a molding or cornice, the upper end of which is adapted to cooperate with the ceilingofthe story and'make a finished joint, therewith. Also supported upon the bracket 29 is a section 131, corresponding to the apron or flange 13 at the bottom, excepting that it does not form a part of the floor-section 14 of the chute; but the lower end of the upper floor-section 14 passes within it, as shown in Fig. 2. This section 131 is provided at its lower rear side with undercut or dovetail projections 161, which rest in the corresponding recesses in the bracket 29 and secure the parts in position. The lower portion of section 81 is adjustable upon the section 131,,thereby permitting slight variations in the adjustment of these parts to give a finished appearance, and is secured by screws or bolts passing through the section 81 and through slots in p the section 131.

The abutting edges of-the sections and doors are covered or closed'by U-shaped strips or cover-pieces 30, extending around the abutting ends of the sections and doors and secured by screws 31, as shown in Fig. 8. V

In order to firmly secure the doors or movable front panels ofthe chute-sections and to provide for opening the chute only by authorized persons, 1 provide securing devices beto the handle.

tween the free edges of the doors and chute studs or projections 33 on the doors are adapted to cooperate. The relation of the slots of the locking-plates 36 to the studs 33 is such that when the. locking-bar 34 is in the lower position (shown in-Fig. 3) the doors are held firmly in position and cannot be opened excepting by the manipulation of said lockingbar; but when said bar is raised to the position shown in Fig. 5 not only is the door disengaged, but the lower inclined portion of the slots in the locking-plate will force the door open to the position shown in said figure, perdoor is swung open. In order to maintain the locking-bar in this position and to prevent the stud from striking the hooked ends of the locking plates l maintain said bar in its upper position by means of a latch 96, pivoted to the side of the chute and within-a suitable casing and havinga shoulder or pro- 9 jection 97, adapted to engage a notch in said bar, a portion of said latch below the pivot being adapted for engagement by a projection 98, attached to the front of the door, so that while the door is maintained in open position the locking-bar will be held raised; but when it is positively moved inward in order to close it the projection on the door will raise and release the catch, thus allowing the locking-bar to fall, but not until the studs on the door have entered, the cam-slots sufficiently to insure the proper securing opera tion. The locking-bar may be manipulated by any suitable handle; but I prefer to employ a key-lock inconnection therewith, so that the chute cannot be opened except by 'authorized persons. In the present embodiment the operating-handle 39, pivoted in a supplemental lock-casing 40, is provided with a plate; 41, having a crank-pin 42 thereon, operating ina slot 43 in the locking-bar, said plate 41 also having on its periphery a cut-away por .mitting the studs to pass out freely when the tion 44, with which at times is adapted to co-' operate the periphery of. a locking-disk 45, also having a cut-away portion 46, adapted to receive the periphery of the plate 41, connected oted upon a centering-stud 47 and provided, witha recess 48, adapted to receivethe end of the removable key 49, having notches or key Ways in its periphery adapted as cooperate with projections or wards 5O in the slotted disks .51, located .in a suitable casing 52, secured-to the outer side of the supplemental Y lock-casing 40. The relative arrangement of The locking-plate 45 is piv 45 is turned to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 5 the handle may be moved to release and force out the door. the locking-rod then being maintained in unlocked position by its latch, as described. The supplemental lockcasing 40 consists in part of a plate formed, as shown in Fig. 6, in cross-section, having at the inner side the short flange 60, extending beneath the flange 61 of a securing-plate 62, riveted or otherwise secured to the outer side of the chute and provided with a flange 63, to which the rearwardly-extending flange 64 of the casing 40 is secured by means of screws 65. The screws 65 are when the deviceis in position in proximity to the main support 1 of the chute, so that they cannot readily be removed to disengage the lock-casing without removing the chute-section; but

when the chute-section is removed the 'lockcasing 40 can be disengaged by removing the screws 65, bending it outward slightly until the flange 64 is forward of the flange of the plate 62 and then sliding the casing toward the front of the chute to disengage the flanges 60 and 61.

In Fig. 12' I have illustrated the wardplates 51 of the form I prefer to employ, the

outer one having the flange or ward 50 with the central slot 151 therein and the inner one having the segmental ward 50* thereon with the slot 150, the key 49 being provided with the slots 49*, as shown, and the location of the wards and key-slots being such that the key may be inserted in vertical position and turned, with the plate 45, to horizontal position, the shoulder at the end of Ward 50 preventing further motion, and the ward 50* beingthen in the slot or keyway nearest the end of the key the latter cannot be withdrawn until i it is returned to vertical position again, and

as the disk 45 cooperates with the disk 41, as described, the latter must also be returned to the position it occupies when the chute-cover is in locked position before the key can be removed. t

While I have shown a form of lock embodying the removable ward-plates 51 and thedisks 41- and 45, I donot desire to be confinedto this specific form, as others equally eflicacious will occur to those skilled in the art.

. In practice I prefer to arrange operating and locking devices for the two adjacent chutesectionsat the upper portion of the lower section and at the lower portion of the upper section in convenient position for manipulation by' the operator, though the parts are practically duplicates.

Mail-chutes constructed as herein described are readily constructed and manipulated, and by reason of the fact that access may be had to theinterior without dismantling the whole structure any obstructions improperly inserted may be removed and the interior of the glass cleaned'when desired.

I claim as my invention- V 1. A mail-chute embodying a plurality of superposed tubular sections, and having a laterally-movable panel at one side. 2. A mail-chute embodying a plurality of superposed tubular sections and having a hinged panel for admitting access to the inte- EI'IOI' of the chute.

3. A mail-chute embodying a plurality of superposed tubular sections and having an independently-movable panel to permit access to the interior of the chutewithout removing adjacent chute-sections.

4. A mail-chute having. an opening at one side to permit access to the interior thereof and a removable panel for closing the opening,

panel and the chute opening toward the cute sides of the chute. 1

5. .A mail-chute having an opening at one side to permit access to the interior thereof ;and a removable panel for closing the opening having portions projecting .inwardly beyond the meeting edges of the panel and walls ofthe chute, 3 6. A mail-chute having an opening at one side to permit access to the interior thereof and a removable panel for closing the opening, the meeting edges of the panel and walls of the chute being removed from the corners ;of the chute and said panel having projecting ,portions extending inwardly beyond said ,meeting edges to prevent lodgment of mail- .matter therein.

"and a removable panel for closing the opening, the sides ofsaid panelpro ecting inwardly beyond the adjacent walls of the chute.

Iside narrower than the chute to permit access for' closing .the opening having its edges exof the chute.

:body portion substantially rectangular in curing it, the joints at the edges of the panel ners of the section.

10. A mail-chute embodying the channel or body portion, open at thefront and the metal frame hinged at the side of the opening em- .to the interior-thereof and a removable panel tending inwardly beyond theadjacent walls,

9. A mail-chute embodying a-channel or.

being removed from the salient angles or cor.

the joint between the meeting edges of the 7. A mail-chute having an opening at one side to permit access to the interior thereof 8. A mail-chute having an opening at one cross-section having an. opening extending lengthwise thereof, and a door or panel hlnged at one side of the channel and devices for se bodying the inwardly-extending flanges and the glass panel secured between them and constituting afclosure for said opening.

11. A mail-chute embodying the channel or body portion open at the front and having the flanges at the sides thereof and'the metal doorframe hinged at the side of the opening embodying the inwardly-extending flanges, and the glass panel secured by the flanges in the frame, and held by them with its inner surface in substantially the plane of the flanges side pieces having inwardly-extending flanges and a glass panel secured between said flanges.

14. A mail-chute embodying the channel or body open at one side having the flanges at the edges of said opening in combination with a door or closure embodying the side frames each provided with parallel flanges, and the glass panel secured between them, a portion of the door-frame extending between the flanges on the body.

15. A mail-chute embodying the channel'or body open at one side, in combination with the hinged door or closure for the open side extending between the walls of the channel and serving to prevent the inward movement of the latter.

16. A mail-chute embodying a channel or body portion of sheet metal having the opening therein and the inwardly-extendin g flanges at the sides thereof, a frame hinged at one side of the opening having the glass panel therein and securing devices for the free edge of the frame. 17. A mail-chute embodying a plurality of superposed tubular sections open at one side and each provided with the panel hinged at the edge of the opening and locking devices for the free edge of said panel.

18. A mail-chute embodying a plurality of superposed tubular sections open at the side and each provided with the panel hinged at the edge of the opening and a plurality of locking devices for the free edge of the panel connected forsimultaneous operation.

19. A mail-chute embodying achannel or body portion open at one side and having the body portion open at one side and having the inwardly-extending flanges at the sides of said opening in combination with a removable panel forclosing the opening hinged at one side thereof, and a plurality of locking devices for the free edge of said panel.

21. Amail-chute embodying the channel or body portion open at one side, and a door or closure hinged thereto and adapted to close said opening, in combination with a locking device for the door embodying a plurality of relatively movable engaging projections arranged on the door and body portion, respectively, the movable projections being connected for simultaneous operation. 22. A mail-chute havingthe opening at one side and a hinged door or closure therefor, in combination with a securing device for the door embodying relatively movable engaging members, means for retaining one of the members out of engaging position when the door is open and causing the automatic engagement of theparts when the door is closed.

23. A mail-chute having theflopening at one side and a hinged door or closure therefor, in combination withv a securing device for the door embodying a plurality of. movable parts for securing the free edge of the door connected for simultaneous operation, means for retaining said parts out of engaging position and means, operating when the door is closed, torelease said retaining device.

24. A mail-chute having the opening at one side, and .a hinged door or closure-therefor, in combination with a securing device for the door embodying a plurality of hook members connected for simultaneous operation, means for preventing the movement of said'members to locked position and means for releasing said is closed.

26. A mail-chute having the opening at one side and a hinged door or closure therefor, in combination with a securing device for-the door-embodying a projection and arelatively movable locking member automatically movable to locking position and an automatic retaining device for holding the locking memher out of engagement, with which the door cooperates when closed to release'said member. 27. A mail-chute having an opening at one side and a hinged door or closure therefor, in

combination with a door-securing device embodying a plurality of relatively movable engaging portions, connections between the movable portions for causing their simulta neous operation, and a key-lock for controlling the movement of the engaging portions.

28. A mail-chute having an opening at one side and a hinged door or closure therefor, in combination with a securing device for the door embodying the relatively movable coopcrating portions on the door and chute, the bar connecting the movable parts, the pivoted disk connected therewith having the cut-away portion, the pivoted locking-disk having the cutaway portion and a removable key for operating the latter.

29. A mail-chute having an opening at one side and a hinged door or closure therefor, in combination with securing devices for the door embodying cooperating projections and a pivoted disk having a cut-away portion, a lock embodying a pivoted disk having cut-away portions cooperating with the former, and controlling its movement and a removable key for operating the last-mentioned disk.

30. A mail-chute having an opening at one side to permit access to the interior and a door or closure therefor, in combination with a securing device for the door embodying a movable member, a locking device therefor and a key for the locking device and detachable therefrom only when the locking deviceis in position to hold the movable member of the securing device in engaging position.

31. A mail-chute having an opening at one side to permit access to the interior and a door or closure therefor, in combination with a securing device for the door embodying an automatically-movable member, a catch for hold ing it out of engaging position adapted to be released by the door, a locking device for the member and a key-for the locking device and detachable therefrom only when the locking device is in position to hold the movable member in engaging position.

32. A mail-chute having an opening at one side to permit access to the interior and a door or closure therefor, in combination with a securing device for the door embodying the movable member, securing devices for the movable member embodying relatively movable plates having the cooperating surfaces to permit their successive operation and a key for operating one of said plates and stops coopcrating therewith to prevent the removal of 34. A mail-chute having an opening to permit access to the interior thereof and a door or closure therefor, in combination with the locking-bar adapted to engage the door, the pivoted disk connected thereto having the cutaway portion, the locking-disk having the cutaway portion and adapted to cooperate with the first-mentioned one, the removable key for actuating the locking-disk and the guards for preventing the removal of the key save in one position.

35. A mail-chute embodying the channel or body portion having the headed projections thereon and the supporting-brackets having the undercut recesses with which said projections are adapted to engage.

36. A mail-chute embodying two superposed sections each having at their proximate ends laterally-extending headed projections in combination with a support provided with undercut recesses, into which the projections on the sections extend.

37 In a mail-chute, the combination with a lower chute-section and an upper chute-section resting thereon each having headed projections located near their proximate ends, of asupport for the sections having the undercut recesses therein into which said projections extend to secure the chute-sections in position.

38. In a mail-chute, the combination with a lower chute-section and an upper chute-section resting thereon each having the headed projections located near their proximate ends, of a holding-bracket provided with undercut recesses in which the projections extend to secure the chute-sections in position.

39. In a mail-chute, the combination with the superposed chute-sections, of a holdingbracket and cooperating headed projections and undercut recesses between the adjacent ends of the chute-sections and the bracket.

5L0. In a mail-chute, the combination of a lower chute-section and an upper chute-section resting upon the latter, and guides arranged between the two Sections for securing their alinement and permitting the re v l o t e upper section.

41. In a mail-chute, the combination of a support, a lower chute-section, an upper chutesection resting upon the latter and detachable guiding connections between the sections and the support permitting vertical movement of the sections independent of the support.

42. In a mail-chute, the combination with two sheet-metal chute-sections each having the reinforcing-strips at their proximate ends provided with the headed projections, of the stationary bracket having undercut grooves for receiving the projections on the strips and holding the sections in position.

43. In amail-chute, the combination with a plurality of separable superposed tubular sections, of stationary brackets located at the adjacent ends of the sections and separable con- .nections between the sections and brackets embodying headed projections and undercut recesses permitting the movement of the sections relative to the brackets in a vertical direction only;

44. In a mail-chute, the combination with a plurality of separable superposed tubular sections, having the laterally-extended headed projections at opposite ends, of the stationary brackets located at the adjacent ends of the sections having undercut grooves open' at their upper ends with which the projections cooperate.

45, In a mail-chute, the combination with a tubular chute-section, of a bracket supporting said section, a tubular floor-section also supported on the bracket having a depending extending apron or flange and a molding-section adjustable'vertical-ly upon the apron.

46. In a mail-chute, the combination with a tubular chute-section, of a bracket with which its lower end engages, a tubular floor-section engaging the bracket, a molding-section adjustable vertically thereon and vertically-extending projections and flanges between the molding-section and bracket for preventing forward movement of the former.

47. In a mail-chute, the combination with a tubular chute-section, of a bracket with which its lower end engages, a tubular floor-section engaging the bracket, a molding-section vertically adjustable on the floor-section and a basesection supporting the latter.

48. In a mail-chute, the combination with a tubular chute-section, of a bracket with which its lower end engages, a tubular floor-section engaging the bracket, a molding-section vertically adjustable upon the floor-section and engaging the bracket to prevent forward movement and a base-section supporting the latter. 49. In a mail-chute, the combination -with the bracket and a floor-section engaged there- 50. In a mail-chute, the combination with a floor-section, and a bracket with which it engages having the projections, of the verticallyadjustable molding-section having flanges engaging the projections on the bracket.

51. In a mail-chute, the combination with the chute-section, a floor-section, a bracket with which both sections engage and having lateral extensions, of a moldingsection having extensions engaging the bracket and vertically adjustable thereon and over the floor-section.

52. In a mail-chute, the combination with. the bracket having the recesses and the extensions thereon, of a floor-section having projections engaging the bracket and the apron, the molding-section engaging the apron and projections engaging the bracket and a basesection with which the lower end of the molding engages.

53. In a mail-chute, the combination with a tubular chute-section, a bracket with which its end engages and a section embodying a vertically-extending flange engaged with said bracket and larger than the chute proper and a molding-section vertically adjustable upon said flange to finish the upper and lower ends of the chute between floors.

54. A mail-chute embodying a tubularconduit having mail-receiving apertures at different levels and a mail-receptacle at the lower end and a removable panel for permitting access to the interior of the chute.

FREDERICK F. CHURCH, J. H. GILMORE, Jr. 

